Getting the Groove Back
Sunday, July 5, 2009 - Brandon Cantu
Reflecting back at the beginning of this World Series, I had been running stale. I picked up an early cash in event #7 – $1,500 NLH, but it was insignificant. Reviewing the last few weeks, it was apparent that my head just wasn’t where it should be. As the WSOP suddenly neared the Main Event, I woke up the other day and felt a sense of urgency and with that urgency, I found clarity. Since that day, I have felt locked in with my game. The timing couldn’t be any better. I wanted to put together a series of good events rolling into the Main Event.
Fast forwarded to now, Event #39. There’s been a huge gap in cashes. I registered for the $1,500 NLH feeling good. For whatever reason, I thrive in these high register tournaments and 2,700 showed up to play this one.
Started Day 3 with 26 players left. I came into the day really short, and just had to sit back and wait to pick up hands. Before, I probably wouldn’t have maintained composure and been so patient but, my game is getting better and I was able to keep my cool. I couldn’t be aggressive, so I had to find the right situation and the right hand(s) and go with it. I was fortunate enough to double up a couple of times. It was then time to put the pressure on the other players. I felt like the best player in tournament. I felt like it was mine to lose.
16 left. I really felt like the other players were now starting to get scared of me. I started running over the game at this point.
As the Final Table was set, I was ready to earn my second bracelet. I wanted it badly when I got to this point. I started the final table with $800,000 in chips and in 6th place of the remaining 9. Like always, my friends came out to support me, Gavin Smith, Jeff Madsen, Rick Fuller, Esther Taylor, Allie Prescott, to name a few.
Playing solid and picking up steam, I played my way to Heads Up portion vs. Ray Foley. I had a chance to win this thing a couple of times and was in great spots to do it. Heads Up with my AQ vs. A7 for the win. Flop came 5 8 8, turn 6 and river 5!!!!! Unbelievable. This moment was extremely hard to take. Just as I felt I was going to win, I chopped the pot. Shortly thereafter, we got in. I had K 9 vs. Foley’s 10’s. I spiked a King on the flop, but the turn brought another 10-ball and for a second time, I just couldn’t close.
On the final hand, I held J7 off, and raised $300,000. Foley called and we saw the flop. Flop then came J 3 9 rainbow. Foley checked, and I made it $400,000. Foley instantly shoved. I tanked it for a little bit. I knew for sure that he could have a Jack with a better kicker than mine. I sensed it, but I just didn’t think that I could lay down top pair. In other situations and previous events and years, I would just ship that instantly. But, I am getting calmer, thinking deeper, and evaluating situations to fullest. With serious reservations, I still went ahead and made the call. Foley showed J Q and I was in serious trouble. Turn and River came 10 and 5, which was no help to me. Foley won.
Ray Foley played great heads up. He deserved the win. Second place, is not the bracelet result that you would typically look for and be thrilled with. However, I felt my game shift, my mentality shift, and my stamina shift. I feel really good right now. Again, now is the perfect time to lock-in like this and I fully expect major things coming up. This will not be the highlight of my World Series, mark my words.
Brandon Cantu
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Tags: Bracelet, Main Event, Poker Poker Poker, WSOP
